Morgan Bearce, who has been accused of killing 21-year-old Bryson Saddoris, 21, in July 2025, has had his case continued to June 17.
On April 8, convicted sex offender Fred Railsback III, 78, who is charged with felony child photography by a sex offender, also had his case continued to a later date.
Shaking Mathis, 40, appeared this month on two separate charges. On April 28, a motion hearing was held on the shooting charges related to firing at Macomb police officers in September 2024. A motion was to reconsider was filed Nov. 17, 2025; the motion was denied in Tuesday's hearing. Motions were also filed in limine Aug. 4, with one motion withdrawn, one granted in part, one granted and one reserved. This case has been scheduled for another pre-trial conference in June. On April 14, the state filed proof of service of peoples' answer to discovery on sexual assault charges.
Jeremy Sholl, 43, of Galesburg, who faces felony charges of two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child (Class X felony); two counts of aggravated criminal sexual abuse (Class 2 felony), and two counts of criminal sexual assault (Class 1 felony), is currently being held in the McDonough County Jail, with a new pre-trial date set for May (TBD).
Bearce
The 24-year-old Macomb man has been charged with first-degree murder for the July 29 shooting death of Saddoris at 625 N. Randolph St. Bearce has pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial.
At a March 31 pre-trial hearing, Bearce's attorney, Mark Wykoff of Springfield, stated that Bearce, who appeared via Zoom, was not ready for trial, but they're looking at the possibility of a Nov. 16 jury trial. A status hearing was set for June 17. Judge Nigel Graham ordered the continued detention of Bearce for the protection of the community.
Police reported Bearce admitted shooting Saddoris six times with a revolver, claiming he fired the additional shots to “put the victim out of his misery' after the initial gunshot. A second man, Sean Hayes, was initially arrested but was released a few weeks later, on Aug. 19, after charges were dropped by McDonough County State's Attorney Matt Kwacala, who said there was new evidence that supported Hayes' release. However, his initial arrest – and release – following Saddoris' murder, Hayes was arrested a few months later for two counts of disorderly conduct Oct. 3 for allegedly threatening a McDonald's employee, as well as threatening an individual near T.J. Maxx. Hayes was also recently arrested for theft of copper wire and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Authorities stated all three men (Bearce, Saddoris and Hayes) were smoking methamphetamine at Bearce's Randolph Street home at the time of the incident. Hayes initially denied involvement in the shooting but reportedly had admitted to photographing the Saddoris' body and cleaning the crime scene.
Bearce claims that he was in another room of the home when he heard a gunshot in his kitchen. He told police he found Hayes in the kitchen standing over Saddoris, holding a shotgun. He then allegedly handed Bearce a revolver and instructed him to put the victim out of his misery. Bearce admitted to emptying the revolver on the victim. The crime was discovered a few days later when police descended on the home as Bearce loaded a car with drugs and guns. He initially told police that it was 'Sean's mess' in the laundry room. The crime was brought to the attention of law enforcement after Hayes allegedly posted a photo on social media of Saddoris following the shooting.
Railsback
At a hearing in February, Railsback was found fit to stand trial for allegedly taking photos of a child in a Macomb restaurant. He has been held in the McDonough County Jail since his July 14 arrest.
Railsback was charged with felony child photography by a sex offender after he reportedly took photos of an 11-year-old girl at a local diner. A family member noticed Railsback snapping photos and told restaurant employees, who called police. He purportedly attempted to delete the photos; however, responding offers were able to see the photos after obtaining the phone from Railsback's possession. He told police he took the photos because he 'thought she was cute.'
At the time of the July 2025 incident, Railsback was on probation after pleading guilty in September 2024 to three felony child porn-related charges. Several other counts were dismissed as part of that plea. As part of the plea deal, Railsback was sentenced to 128 days in jail – credit for time served – with four years of probation and ordered to pay more than $14,000 in fines and fees. He was also ordered to register as a sex offender for life.
Mathis
On Sept. 4, 2024, Mathis allegedly shot two police officers who were attempting to serve a warrant. Former Macomb Police Department Det. Nick Severs (who is now with the Illinois State Police) and MPD Sgt. J.P. McLaughlin were attempting to serve a search warrant in connection with a reported sexual assault. In connection with the shooting incident, he is charged with four counts of aggravated battery to a police officer, one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm and possession of a firearm by a felon. Mathis has pleaded not guilty and requested a jury trial. Following extensive negotiations and a 20-hour standoff with law enforcement, Mathis, of 309 N. Normal St., surrendered peacefully and was taken into custody around 2:30 p.m. Sept. 5.
In February 2026, Mathis was arrested on two counts of sexual assault by force stemming from Sept. 4, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to two counts of sexual assault and requested a jury trial. He has remained detained in the local jail since September 2024.
Sholl
Sholl has pleaded not guilty to the alleged crimes against two female minors and requested a jury trial. He was arrested by McDonough County Sheriff's Office deputies and Illinois State Police Zone 4 special agents Feb. 11 in his Galesburg home. The allegations against Sholl came to light in late 2025 when he allegedly texted a third party about his conduct, and the messages provided a detailed account of what he did.
The incidents reportedly took place from November 2011 to December 2012, against two female relatives with whom he resided at the time who were eight years old, and again over a four-month span in 2018, when the children were between 13-17. If found guilty of the Class X felony, Sholl could face 50-60 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections (DOC); the other charges range from three to 16 years in the DOC.
